About me
Meet Maria: Your Partner in Professional English Mastery
Hello!
I'm Maria, your dedicated guide to mastering English for professional success. In the photo on this page, you’ll see me on the left, enjoying a moment with my loyal Akita Inu.
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Breaking Down Language Barriers Since 1994
Since 1994, I've been committed to helping individuals overcome language barriers. My mission is to empower professionals to discover and fully express their authentic selves in English—a journey that goes beyond language learning to personal and professional transformation.
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The Impact of Enhanced English Proficiency
Improving your English proficiency can open doors to new opportunities, foster personal growth, and enhance your professional capabilities in ways you never imagined possible.
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What I Offer Your Business
With my coaching, learning English transcends basic language skills. I help your employees find their voice in English, enabling them to communicate with the same ease and nuance as in their native language.
My Journey: From Global Nomad
to Your English Empowerment Coach
Growing up as an "Army BRAT," I lived across continents, from California and Virginia to Germany, Korea, and Italy. This diverse upbringing ignited my passion for languages and cross-cultural understanding, forming the foundation of my career in English coaching.
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Extensive Background in Multinational Corporations and Education
With experience in leading multinational corporations and teaching at private academies, I discovered my true calling in empowering non-native English professionals. I hold a CELTA certification from the University of Cambridge, along with qualifications from the British Council and pronunciation expert Mark Hancock. Since 2012, I’ve transformed English language learners into confident, proficient communicators.
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Highly Valued Trainer and Transition to Online Coaching
For 30 years, I was a highly valued trainer at various private language academies, where I honed my skills and developed a deep understanding of effective language instruction. However, I wanted to move away from traditional classroom teaching to offer a more personalized and flexible learning experience. The advent of Covid-19 in 2020 provided the perfect opportunity to transition to online coaching, allowing me to reach a wider audience and tailor my programs to the specific needs of professionals.
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Founding My Online English Coaching Business
In 2020, I founded my online English coaching business to offer personalized and effective English learning experiences. Leveraging the best teaching methodologies, I’ve crafted specialized programs to accelerate your team’s journey to professional fluency and career advancement.
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Why Choose Me as Your English Coach?
Having faced the challenges of adapting to new cultures and languages, I bring empathy and understanding to our sessions. I know the frustration of feeling misunderstood in professional settings and am dedicated to guiding your employees past these barriers. I specialize in helping seasoned professionals like you master advanced vocabulary, refine pronunciation, enhance presentation skills, and navigate cultural nuances with finesse.
My Teaching Philosophy: Communicative Approach and Student-Centered Learning
My teaching style centers around a communicative approach, where the primary focus is on enabling you to use English effectively and confidently in real-life situations. I prioritize meaningful interaction and practical communication, believing that language is best learned through active use and engagement.
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Key Elements of My Teaching Style:
Communicative Approach:
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Lessons emphasize authentic communication through role-plays, discussions, and problem-solving tasks reflecting real-world scenarios.
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This approach helps you build practical language skills essential for personal and professional success.
Student-Centered Learning:
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Encouraging you to take charge of your learning by providing various tools and methods tailored to your needs.
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Guiding you in setting and achieving your learning goals, fostering motivation and self-directed learning.
Supportive Guidance:
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Patience and encouragement are central to my teaching. I provide constructive feedback and celebrate your progress to build confidence.
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Creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere where you feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes.
Grammar and Vocabulary Expertise:
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Integrating grammar and vocabulary into communicative activities to ensure you understand and use them effectively in context.
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Clear and concise explanations using simple examples and visual aids to enhance understanding.
Pronunciation and Speaking Skills:
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Evaluating speaking skills based on the CEFR, offering specific, actionable feedback to help you improve.
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Providing practical pronunciation tips and exercises, enabling you to communicate clearly and be understood.
Interactive and Engaging Lessons:
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Dynamic and interactive lessons incorporating multimedia resources, games, and collaborative activities to maintain engagement.
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Adapting teaching methods based on your feedback and progress, ensuring lessons remain relevant and effective.
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My mission is to empower you or your team to confidently navigate the English-speaking business world with clarity, sophistication, and ease.
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Ready to Elevate Your English and Your Career?
Click here for a personalized evaluation of your English proficiency and discover how we can achieve your professional aspirations together.
My Values
I value clear and honest communication and enjoy making sense of the complexities and nuances of life.
I believe that every participation is worthy. Nurturing education and development is a top priority for me.
As an individual, maintaining good principals and ethical values without
compromising is essential.
A person cannot experience or know everything. Listening to and respecting each other is essential to learning and living together.
"I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious"
Albert Einstein
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree
University of Maryland
Bachelor of Science in Global Business and Public Policy
Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages
Cambridge Assessment English
CELTA - Cambridge English Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
English Pronunciation Teaching
Mark Hancock & Veigga
Hancock and Veigga Pronunciation Course for Teachers
Teach English Now!
Arizona State University
Foundational Principles in Teaching English as a foreign language
English in Early Childhood – Language Learning and Development
British Council
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Languages
Proficiency based on Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
ENGLISH - Native Speaker
ITALIAN - C2 Advanced Mastery
GERMAN - B1 Independent User - Threshold
SPANISH - A2 Basic User Waystage
CROATIAN - A1 Basic User Breakthrough
FRENCH - A1 Basic User Breakthrough